Mariners to make baseball history by flying gay pride flag

Just days after the Supreme Court issued landmark rulings on same-sex marriage, the Seattle Mariners will make history by becoming the first Major League Baseball team to fly the gay Pride flag. (AP file)

Just days after the Supreme Court issued landmark rulings on same-sex marriage, the Seattle Mariners will make history by becoming the first Major League Baseball team to fly the gay pride flag.

The flag will be displayed Sunday alongside the other team, state and U.S. flags that fly above the outfield at Safeco Field. It coincides with Seattle's 39th annual Pride Parade, which is celebrating "Equality: Passed, Present & Future."

The team has supported gay rights in the past and participated in other efforts including a video for the "It Gets Better" campaign featuring Seattle sports stars. But according to Rebecca Hale, director of public information, the Mariners had never been asked before to fly the flag.

"We considered it and decided it would be something we'd be happy to do," she said. "It actually wasn't a big deal. We just said OK. It seemed like an appropriate gesture on a day that's so meaningful to the LGBT community."

In past years, the gay Pride has flown from the Space Needle.

"We're thrilled to have so much community support in Seattle and greatly appreciate the leadership from the Mariners in promoting equality and acceptance in professional sports," Adam McRoberts with Seattle Out and Proud tells Q-13 Fox.

The City of Seattle has been flying the pride flag over City Hall since June 1 to commemorate gay pride month.